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Elections
Real estate reform comes from Bull Creek process
City Council members Thursday quietly passed a resolution that instructs Austin City Manager Marc Ott to “forward to Council any written communication received by the City Manager from the State of Texas, or any agency of the State of Texas,…
City Hall • By Michael Kanin • Nov 21, 2014
Council split on new deal for Austin Pets Alive!
City Council members Tuesday continued to debate a potential extension of a contract for Austin Pets Alive! to operate a facility at the Town Lake Animal Shelter. The extension would also include additional leeway for the organization to make needed…
City Council • By Michael Kanin • Nov 19, 2014
Austin Council meetings run far later than peers'
A report from Office of the City Auditor staff appears to corroborate what many Austin City Council observers have long lived: that the city’s Council meetings are much lengthier than those of their peers. The data, presented by Assistant City…
City Council • By Michael Kanin • Nov 19, 2014
Commissioners get $294 million courthouse budget
Travis County Commissioners heard a report Tuesday that the budget to construct the proposed new Civil and Family Courthouse comes in at $294 million. After asking their consultants some pointed questions about how they arrived at that amount, they passed…
Bonds & Propositions • By Mark Richardson • Nov 19, 2014
Ott: Staff readying large-event recommendations
As part of next year’s budget process, city staff will bring forward a set of recommendations that could change the way the city deals with fees and permits for Austin’s many special events. In what could mark something of a…
Local Politics • By Michael Kanin • Nov 18, 2014
Commissioners to hear budget for new courthouse
Travis County Commissioners are set to hear a report today on the planned Civil and Family Courthouse project, but there have been protests about the project’s proposed $294 million budget even though the report has yet to be made public.…
Bonds & Propositions • By Mark Richardson • Nov 18, 2014
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Monitor Poll: Adler's lead over Martinez increasing
A poll commissioned by the Austin Monitor shows that 56 percent of voters said they would likely vote for mayoral candidate Steve Adler, compared to 35 percent who said they would vote for his runoff opponent, City Council Member Mike Martinez.…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Nov 17, 2014
Reporters Notebook: Last dance with Austin Energy
Current Council to get one more shot at Austin Energy . . . For those of you worried that the days of the current Council Committee on Austin Energy had ended: Fear not. The committee plans to have another meeting…
Elections • By Austin Monitor • Nov 17, 2014
Ethics panel wants last word on complaint inquiries
Austin’s Ethics Review Commission voted unanimously this week to recommend City Council ensure the commission has the last word in ethical complaints against the mayor, members of City Council and all of its appointees, city executives, and assistant city attorneys.…
City Hall • By Kara Nuzback • Nov 14, 2014
Martinez to pitch bus rapid transit investments
City Council Member and Austin mayoral candidate Mike Martinez is looking to pitch multiple bus rapid transit lines as the next major transportation investment for the area. In an interview with the Monitor, Martinez nodded to the work done by…
Austin • By Michael Kanin • Nov 13, 2014
Seaholm Power Plant sign rejected by review board
Despite being owned by the city, the Seaholm Power Plant got no breaks at the Sign Review Board this week, where members unanimously shot down a request for a variance from the city’s scenic roadway sign district regulations. Board Member…
Austin • By Elizabeth Pagano • Nov 13, 2014
Election season shines light on endorsements
As the City of Austin looks back on the unprecedented election season that was, questions remain about whether established vetting that worked under an at-large system — such as forums and lengthy questionnaires — is still effective or appropriate. Endorsements, however, appear…
